Expert Snapshots for September

At VolunteerMatch we learn so much from other experts in the field of volunteer engagement and management, and we want to help you stay up to date on the latest news and trends. Check back every month for snapshots of what experts in the field are talking about. This month we’re focusing on data and knowledge sharing.

With all the buzz these days about gathering data – big data, small data, micro data, visual data… the problem most of us face is: How do we USE all this data? After all, measurement only matters if it changes the way you act. Marc Koenig writes on Nonprofit Hub about the three best ways for nonprofits to use data and how to collect data that actually matters.

Don’t collect data on your organization’s performance just because your donors tell you to. Instead, be strategic about what you measure, and follow Erik Anderson’s advice in the Donor Dreams blog post about what to do with all that data once you collect it.

As Beth points out, many of us don’t value taking the time for intentional learning within our organizations. In this post we hear from guest poster Kelsie Tacchi about how her organization gathers, processes, reflects, and shares knowledge to help improve and scale effectively.

Data-driven marketing is much more doable than you think. With the right focus and the right strategy, it will provide immense value for your organization without seeming like a tedious chore. Here are some creative ways working with data is like taking the perfect “selfie…”

About The Author

Shari Tishman

Shari led Online Marketing and Communications at VolunteerMatch from 2010-2015. After working with nonprofits for 9 years, she moved over to the corporate sector and is now leading Inbound Marketing for a tech company in San Francisco.